#blacklivesmovement

[filmgad]

15$ iphone photo edits [email protected]

[alannah-digitalcommunities]

Week 5: What is Digital Citizenship? Hashtag Publics, political engagement, activism and protesting

In this week’s notions of Digital Citizenship, Hashtag Publics, Political Engagement and Activism are explored, and the role of digital citizenship and political themes are examined. Digital citizenship refers to the responsible use of technology by anyone who uses computers, the Internet, and digital devices to engage with society on any level (Zook, 2021). Digital Citizenship also majorly contributes to citizens voices who are often marginalised to be heard in the public sphere, increasing exchange, engagement and political participation. A good digital citizen is a person with the skills and knowledge to effectively use digital technologies in a positive way to participate in society, communicate with others, and create and consume digital content (Office of the eSafety Commissioner, NSW Department of Education).

In one of the readings, media journalist, Dr Jackson, depicts the practices of digital citizen political participation in  ‘Activism; Networks of Race and Gender Justice’ (at 8:50 onwards). Dr Jackson also explores the theory concerning hashtag activism networks and the use of Twitter and prevailing social media movements such as #metoo.

Image source: https://www.google.com/search?q=me+too+movement&rlz=1C5CHFA_enAU915AU916&sxsrf=ALeKk036PBd5AdRHUuKU97gILpnp8k5i3g:1622120942621&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi06MS09-nwAhWawjgGHWIUCewQ_AUoAXoECAEQAw&biw=1434&bih=748#imgrc=TgzJ-llJiSBWnM

What is activism and protesting?

According to Merriam-Webster (n.d.), the definition of activism is a doctrine or practise emphasising direct, punitive stance, notably in support of or opposition to one side of a controversial topic.

A protest (also called a demonstration, remonstration or remonstrance) is a public expression of objection, disapproval or dissent towards an idea or action, typically a political one. Protests can take many different forms, from individual statements to mass demonstrations. Protesters may organize a protest as a way of publicly making their opinions heard in an attempt to influence public opinion or government policy, or they may undertake direct action in an attempt to enact desired changes themselves. Where protests are part of a systematic and peaceful non violent campaign to achieve a particular objective, and involve the use of pressure as well as persuasion, they go beyond mere protest and may be better described as cases of civil resistance or nonviolent resistance. ("Protest - Wikipedia", n.d.)

Racial Injustice in America Movement

Black Lives Matter has sparked a hashtag, grass-roots organisations, and a collective of activists. #BlackLivesMatter 

Black Lives Matter (BLM) is an international activist movement, originating in the African-American community, that campaigns against violence and systemic racism toward black people. BLM regularly protests police killings of black people and broader issues of racial profiling, police brutality, and racial inequality in the United States criminal justice system. ("Black Lives Matter (BLM)", n.d.) 

“#blacklivesmatter is a response to the dehumanization of black people. But it’s also a call to action.” - @aliciagarza #mediajustice 

The Role of Social Media in Social Movements 

Although racial injustices and police brutality have been going on for decades, social media has played an influential role in assisting in promulgating the prevalence of police brutality. Additionally, social media has helped protect public support for protesters' goals, a role that conventional media represented a half-century ago, according to the professor, Omar Wasow.

I unquestionably believe that the internet makes it easier to organise social movements today, as, without social media, there wouldn't be as many protests and protesters supporting black citizens.

White privilege has been symbolized throughout history, however, what comes to my mind when I think of white privilege is the juxtaposition of Colin Kaepernick, who kneeled silently in protest against systemic racism and police brutality during the national anthem, with Derek Chauvin, a white Minneapolis police officer, who kneeled on the neck of George Floyd, a black man, as he gasped for air. There were three other officers at the scene as Chauvin continued to press his knee on the back of George Floyd's neck for over eight minutes while onlookers pleaded with him to let him up. A video was taken by Darnella Frazier of George Floyd's last moments before he was killed, which circulated through social media. Since then, the video has formed an uprising and has influenced mass protests against police brutality and systemic racism which was largely organized online.  

These videos that expose police brutality and racial injustices against African-Americans allow citizens and individuals to see a reality that has been "visible to some people and invisible to others" ("How Social Media Has Changed Civil Rights Protests", n.d.). As those injustices become evident, a significant shift ensues.

Since the George Floyd video, there have been many social media campaigns, including Blackout Tuesday. From documenting and sharing unedited images and videos of police violence to influencing juridical changes from local leaders. Social media has played an influential role in promoting and sustaining social movements that cannot be de-emphasised.

Social media and open access to the internet can be tools for positively participating in society, mobilising movements, and inciting social change. It also highlights the significance of maintaining an unrestricted, welcoming and democratic virtual space for many individuals all around the world. 

References: 

Zook, C. (2021). What Is Digital Citizenship & How Do You Teach It?. Retrieved 23 May 2021, from https://www.aeseducation.com/blog/what-is-digital-citizenship#:~:text=Digital%20citizenship%20refers%20to%20the,with%20society%20on%20any%20level.

Protest - Wikipedia. Retrieved 23 May 2021, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protest

Black Lives Matter (BLM). Retrieved 23 May 2021, from https://www.loc.gov/item/lcwaN0016241/

How Social Media Has Changed Civil Rights Protests. Retrieved 23 May 2021, from https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/18/technology/social-media-protests.html

[healthandlove-blog]

Political books written by Black women recommended by Ibram Kendi

[millkyrice]

WE NEED MORE OF THIS

[mspattycake]

Change is coming and when it happens we will have a lot of work to do. Let’s keep the momentum going. Keep using your platforms to weed out the racist bigots & call out the businesses that are turning their heads the other way. I know I haven’t given up ✊🏽 ✊🏾 ✊🏿 #blacklivesstillmatter #blacklivesmatter #keepmovingforward #keepupthemomentum #blacklivesmovement #fuckracists #bethechange (at Dallas, Texas) https://www.instagram.com/p/CB8RlfCH_YR/?igshid=1xsx9qo9kdksy

[that-boss-bitch]

Silence isn’t consent. Captured and bought Africans were forced into a position of submission by colonialists who instilled the narrative into them that if they’re peaceful, they’ll be better off. So for decades they obeyed, they did as they were told and in return they were met with abuse, starvation, rape and death. Things only changed when they decided to make a statement. 

Violence isn’t the answer, but sometimes it’s the only way.

[indian-yoga-girl]

I am your brown ally. I promise to never minimize your pain I promise to never judge you, when your pain transmutes into rage, & spills out onto the street. I will forever know that my breath is only as precious as yours. I will not be distracted from the movement by ONLY showcasing occasional moments of amity by the institutional powers. Change has to be VOTED in. I am your ally. Grateful for all the other allies you speak up, show up, and support. Taking cues from my yoga background and looking closely at the Bhagvad Gita where we are taught that good fight must be fought. . Taking cues from Gautama Buddha who woke up from his enlightenment and SPOKE up. . Calling all yoga practitioners to be brave like the Buddha & your yoga philosophy that calls for #Karma yoga. #nowisthetime #speakup #seecolor #blacklivesmovement #yogaallies #raceforjustice #humanrace #compassionateyogi #empoweredyogi #brownyogagirl #southasiansforblacklives https://www.instagram.com/p/CBDXr1rjNW8/?igshid=44mba3xx9gam

[gold-skye]

Please stop with the bullshit “All Lives Matter”. ALL lives do not matter until BLACK lives matter. I see so many people getting so offended and I’m done. Educate yourselves before getting so worked up over it.